Universal electric outlet



Sept. 14, 1937. J. P. HOLLER UNIVERSAL ELECTRIC OUTLET James E Hollefi Filed Feb. 25, 1935 W m w a a M 4 A-rronuey Patented Sept. 14, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNIVERSAL ELECTRIC OUTLET James P. Holler, New York, N. Y. Application February 25, "1935, Serial N0. 8,128

2 Claims.

of electric plugs have necessarily required a great" number of contact members resulting in a costly and intricate construction and arrangement of the component parts. In view of the above, it is the primary object of my invention to provide a convenient outlet or recptacle for the connection of a plurality of electrical appliance plugs of a particularly neat and simple arrangement requiring only two contact members, namely, one for each corresponding prong of the plugs.

A further object of my invention is to provide in such devices contact members of a particularly simple and practical arrangement which in use will make contact onto the prongs of the plug over an appreciable area.-

The invention will be fully and comprehensively understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing which forms part of the application, with the understanding, however, that the improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the ppended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary central sectional view illustrating my device installed for use.

Fig. 2 is a top elevational view of the entire device.

Fig. 3 is a central sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom elevational view with the cover of the device removed; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the respective positive and negative contact members apart from the device.

Referring to the drawing for a more detailed description thereof with particular reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that my improved electric outlet receptacle comprises in brief two annular contact rings arranged concentrically and insulated from each other, the same being suitably supported on an appropriate circular base. This arrangement provides for the connection of a plurality of electric plugs about the contact circle substantially as illustrated in Fig. 1.

The just mentioned contact rings are illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 illustrates the inner contact member which comprises a skirtlike contact ring I resembling in shape a truncated cone, the apex of which is downward. The

inner surface of the ring, tapering inwardly, em-

bodies the contact portion of this member. Integral with the upper edge of the ring I and extending vertically downwardly therefrom are arranged a plurality of legs 3, preferably three equally spaced. Each of the legs 3 are bent at right angles to form a foot 9. Fig. 6 illustrates the outer contact member which comprises a skirt-like contact ring ill shaped substantially to that of a truncated cone with the apex upward. The outer surface of the ring embodies the portion of this member coming in contact with the prongs of the electric plug. Integral with the upper edge of the ring I0, and extending vertically downward therefrom are arranged three legs II at the lower ends of which are formed feet I2.

To appropriately support the inner and outer contact rings concentrically with each other, I have provided a circular base I3 which comprises a cylindrical vertical wall I4 and a central domelike structure I5 joined near the bottom of the base I3 by the annular ring iii. The members I4, I5 and I6 are of a composite integral structure .formed of an insulating material such as bakelite. The annular trough Il embodies the recess in which the contact rings I and III are suitably arranged, the latter being insulated from each other by a cylindrical ring I8. At the upper edges of the ring I8 and extending outwardly therefrom are formed shoulders I9 by which themore secure retention of the contact rings 1 and I0 is effected during the withdrawal of an electric plug. The ring I8 is secured in a recessed annular groove 20 cut in the member I6 and fastened thereto by means hereinafter described.

Reference is now directed to Fig. 4 in which is illustrated clearly the arrangement of the respective supporting members of the rings I and III. In the preferred construction of. these rings they are each provided with three legs which, as shown in Fig. 4, are disposed in annular formation, the respective legs of each ring alternating with each other. One of each of the feet 9 and I2, preferably those diametrically opposite each other are to be used as terminals, for which purpose suitable contact screws 2i and 22 are provided, the latter being threadedly engaged in. tapped holes in the ring I8. Clearance holes in 2 a,ooa,sss

the member I and theleet and II are formed so that the screws II and}! may be adjusted independently. 'The remaining mnieet I and it provide additional support for their correspond- 5 ingcontactringsland ilinthateachoi'these feet are riveted or otherwise suitably attached thru the member I! to the ring II. It will be noted that this means 01' support (or the rings I and II also eii'ect the secure holding oi the ring 10 it in its place. To protect the terminals II and 22 and the other electrical structure, a cover 28 is securedinanannular recess'lltothebase ll of the device.

It is likewise to be noted that the tripod sup- 15 port for each of the rings I and III as well as the formation 0! these rings assures the desirable resilience 01 structure by which a more suitable contact is made to the prongs of an inserted electric plug. This feature of my device will be 20 more apparent upon reference to Fig. 1 wherein the flexure or the contacting portion of the rings I and l to eflect contact 01 an appreciable area will be apparent.

What is claimed as new is:

2 1. A receptacle for electric attachment plugs comprising a base having an annular groove deilned by vertical concentric walls integral with the base and a top member integral with the groove, an inner contact ring located between the inner vertical wall and the insulator in the groove, an outer contact ring encircling said insulator and arms depending from said inner and outer contact rings for attachment to the base 01' said groove and insulator.

2. A receptacle tor electric attachment plugs comprising a base having cylindrical concentric walls and a top member integral with the inner cylinder, the aructure thus defining an annular groove between the inner and outer cylinders, an insulator positioned within said groove and spaced from saidvertical walls, an inner contact ring encircling said top membenan outer contact ring encircling said insulator, said contact rings being supported in shoulder portions in the insulator, and arms depending from said inner and outer contact rings ior attachment to the base of said groove and insulator.

1m P. ROLLER.

inner walls, an insulator positioned within said 

